Apparatus, method and system for a magnetic display support

ABSTRACT

A display support for displaying an object having a magnetic base attached to a display module and removably attached to a surface with a magnetically adherent material. The display system may include more than one magnetic bases and the display module may connect each of the magnetic bases. The support module may be separable from the magnetic bases to allow for differently shaped display modules, different lengths of display modules, or for display modules with different display characteristics, such as hooks. Stabilizing members may be used to help stabilize the object on the display module enabling a person to display/hold items at any angle. The stabilizing members may also be used to support objects such as jewelry, glasses, watches, tools, kitchen utensils, etc. Magnetic couplers may be used to position the objects in particular positions against the surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus, method, and system for display supports. Specifically, the present invention relates to compact, positional, magnetic display supports for displaying an object against a surface with magnetically adherent material.

2. Description of the Related Art

When creating a wall display, retailers have used various and substantially permanent systems for displaying items. Retail display racks are used to display a wide variety of different products that are offered for sale. The systems have included large display cases, shelves, hooks, racks, and notched display rods affixed to the wall into which levered struts can be inserted to support shelves. In many cases, the shelves are permanently bolted, nailed, or glued to the wall. In other cases, large pegboards are attached to the wall to be used with movable posts and hooks, particularly for home use.

In the past, these display racks have suffered from a number of disadvantages. For example, past displays are not designed to have a background art attached, and for those displays that do have background art attached, it is disrupted or destroyed with holes, grooves, slots, etc. As a result, the type of background art is limited. Additionally, past displays have often been manufactured having a fixed size and arrangement for displaying the products. These past displays have also been limited in the location, arrangement, and ease of re-arrangement of the advertising and signs that accompany the display, which help sell the products displayed thereon. The individual shelves on past display racks have also often been difficult to adjust without removing the surrounding shelves. As inventory is reduced, or exhausted, and products are individually sold and removed from the display systems, the display begins to appear incomplete and unattended.

Some display racks are expensive to manufacture, time consuming to set up, and take up large amounts of storage space when they are not in use. Particularly concerning is the damage caused to the underlying structure, such as a wall, when a display rack is installed or removed. The underlying structure is often left with large screw holes, scratched or damaged paint, and occasional structural damage. Additionally, current systems are too permanent, and they generally prevent flexibility in the positioning of the display systems. Finally, current display systems often require installers with special experience and equipment to construct and place the display system.

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

-   -   to provide a display system that may position many types of         products, of various sizes, in any orientation and at any angle;     -   to provide a quick and convenient method of attaching a display         system to a display surface;     -   to provide a display system that is readily movable at will,         that does not alter or deface the supporting surface;     -   to provide a display system that may be used in the retail         environment, trade shows, kitchen, closet, garage, anywhere;     -   to provide a display system that may use a magnetically adherent         material, which may be reversed for use with seasonal sales or         promotions; to provide a display system that can be set up,         moved, and removed quickly without technical expertise;     -   to provide a display system that may display products from any         location, including walls and ceilings; and     -   to provide a display system utilizing a magnetically adherent         material decorated with graphics, including vinyl, paint,         stickers, etching, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available display racks. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a process, apparatus, and system for a positionable magnetic display support that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.

Specifically, the present invention provides a positionable magnetic display support. The magnetic display support includes at least one magnetic base and a display mount protruding from the magnetic base. The magnetic base is configured to removably attach to a magnetically adherent surface. The display mount is configured to support a variety of items, such as tools, clothing, toys, etc.

In one embodiment, the positionable magnetic display support includes two magnetic bases connected via a display rod. The magnetic base positions the display rod perpendicular to a ferrous wall to support a shoe.

In one embodiment, the positionable magnetic display support includes stabilizing members for holding an object into a position in conjunction with the display mount.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention, as well as other features and advantages not listed, will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a display support according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of a display support supporting a shoe according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a display support attached to a wall according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates various display supports attached to a wall and supporting articles of clothing according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a display support attached to a wall and having a plurality of display mounts according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a goggle display support according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates a display support 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The display support 10 comprises a magnetic base 12, to which a display mount, or display module, 14 is attached. In this embodiment, the magnetic base 12 comprises two magnets and the display mount 14 is a rod. The magnetic base 12 is configured to attach to a surface 16 with magnetically adherent properties to position the display mount 14 perpendicular to the surface 16.

The surface 16 may comprise any type of magnetically adherent material. Additionally, the surface 16 may be covered with any type of decorative liner. For example, the surface 16 may be covered with a vinyl liner having a preferred drawing, picture, design, advertisement, etc. In other embodiments, the surface 16 may be covered with paint, stickers, etched with particular designs, etc.

The display mount 14 may be comprised of any material. In one embodiment, the display mount 14 comprises a pliable material so that the display mount 14 may be bent and manipulated into any configuration. The bendable feature of the display mount 14 provides adaptability in the display support 10 for displaying a variety of products. Specifically, the display mount 14 may be manipulated to display a much greater variety of products ranging in different sizes, shapes, and materials, such as, but not limited to clothes, tools, toys, books, or any type of product meant to be displayed or stored.

FIG. 2 illustrates a display support 10 attached to a surface 16 and supporting a shoe 26 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the display support 10 comprises the magnetic base 12 attached to the surface 16, the display mount 14, and stabilizing members 18. The stabilizing members 18 each comprise a magnetic base 20 attached to a stabilizing display rod, or stabilizing display member 22. The stabilizing members 18 may be positioned at any location on the surface 16 to provide support to the display support 10 or to stabilize the display item 24 positioned on the display support 10. The shoe 26 rests on the display mount 14 and the stabilizing members 18 removably hold the shoe 26 in any position against the display mount 14. The stabilizing display rod 22 may be curved, straight, or bendable like the display mount 14 described in FIG. 1. The stabilizing display rod 22 may be made of any type of material.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a display support 10 attached to a surface 16 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the display support system 10 comprises a single display rod 32 extending from the magnetic base 12. The magnetic base 12 attaches to the surface 16, which is attached to a supporting surface 30. The surface 16 may be glued, screwed, clamped, or secured by any means to the supporting surface 30.

The surface 16 may be any type of magnetically adherent material and the supporting surface 30 may be drywall, or another type of material. In one embodiment, the surface 16 may be integrated into the supporting surface 30. For example, the supporting surface 30 may comprise a multiplicity of magnetically adherent materials, such as small metal pellets (not shown). The magnetically adherent materials may be pressed, glued, sprayed, etc. onto the surface 16 or supporting surface 30.

Additionally, in one embodiment, display mount supports 31 may be used to provide additional support to the magnetic base 12 or to prevent the display item 24 (See FIG. 2) from sagging or falling. In one embodiment, the display mount support 31 comprises a slide 33 moveably connected to the display rod 32 and a support rod 35 attached to the slide 33. A stopper 37 may be attached to the support rod 35 to prevent slippage. The stopper 37 may be any material such as rubber or an additional magnet.

In another embodiment, the slide 33 is open on a top edge so that the display mount support 31 may be easily placed below the display rod 32 at any time without removing a product.

FIG. 4 illustrates various display supports 10 attached to the surface 16 and supporting articles of clothing 34 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the display support 10 comprises the magnetic base 12 and display mounts 14. The display mount 14 may be configured to hold different articles of clothing 34, such as a T-shirt or pants.

The display support 10 may further comprise magnetic couplers 36 for positioning the article of clothing 34 in different positions, rather than a hanging configuration. The magnetic couplers 36 are configured to hold, position, or attach the articles of clothing 34 against the surface 16.

FIG. 5 illustrates a display support attached to a surface 16 and having a plurality of display mounts 14 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic base 12 supports a connecting display member 38, which is configured to support a plurality of display mounts 14. The connecting display member 38 may be constructed similar to the surface 16, that is, the connecting display member 38 may be a magnetically adherent material. The connecting display member 38 may also be configured to connect a plurality of magnetic bases 12 for supporting a large or long display item 24.

In one embodiment, magnetic bases 12 of the display mounts 14 couple to the connecting display member 38. In another embodiment, the display mounts 14 connect directly to the connecting display member 38 with glue, screws, friction, etc.

Referring still to FIG. 5, the display mounts 14 may be configured to hold any kind of accessory, such as jewelry, watches, rings, glasses, tools, kitchen utensils, etc. For illustration purposes, the display mounts 14 in this embodiment are configured to hold watches 36 and glasses 40. For display mounts 14 configured to hold watches 41, the display mount 14 comprises a watch band member 42. A watch band of the watch 41 simply wraps around the watch band member 42 to secure the watch 41 to the display mount 14. The watch band member 42 may be configured to hold a plurality of watches 41. For display mounts 14 configured to hold glasses 40, the display mount 14 comprises a nose piece rest 44 and a crossbar 46. The glasses 40 rest over the nose piece rest 44 and the crossbar 46 of the display mount 14.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a goggles display support 10 for holding soft-sided goggles 48 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the display support 10 utilizes the magnetic couplers 36 to hold the straps 52 of the goggles 48 against the surface 16. The goggles 48 may be placed over an illustration, such as a skier's face, and held in place with the magnetic couplers 36.

In another embodiment, the display support 10 utilizes the stabilizing member 18 (See FIG. 2) to hold the goggles 48 at a nose rest portion 50. The stabilizing display rod 22 (See FIG. 2) of the stabilizing member 18 may be straight, bendable, curved, or tilted from the magnetic base 20 (See FIG. 2).

It is understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the presently illustrated invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

For example, although the illustrative embodiment(s) have/has described the use of a display mount 14 attached to the magnetic base 12, it is envisioned that the display mount 14 may be detachable from the magnetic base 12 so that the display mount 14 may be configured with a plurality of connecting ends (not shown) to connect to a plurality of magnetic base 12. Additionally, it is envisioned that the display mounts 14 and the stabilizing display rods 22 may be configured into any shape. Specifically, there may be display mounts 14 and 22 for positioning shirts, pants, shoes, glasses, socks, jewelry, tools, etc.

In addition, although many illustrated embodiments show the use of one, two, or more magnetic base 12 for holding and positioning the display items 24 against a surface 16, it is envisioned that any number of magnetic base 12 may be used for any one of the embodiments. For large objects, larger magnetic base 12 may be used.

Finally, although the illustrative embodiments show the use of a rod for a display mount 14, it is envisioned that the display mount 14 may be any shape, such as round, square, rectangular, etc.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. 

1. An apparatus for displaying an object, comprising: a magnetic base configured to removably attach to a surface, the surface being magnetically adherent; and a display module attached to the magnetic base and configured to support the object.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnetic base comprises more than one magnet.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the display module comprises a pliable material such that the display module is bendable.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connecting member configured to connect a plurality of magnetic bases, and wherein a plurality of display modules are attached to the connecting member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one stabilizing member configured to hold the object in a stationary position over the display module.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the stabilizing member comprises a magnetic base and a stabilizing display member protruding from the magnetic base.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the stabilizing display member is bendable.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic coupler configured to hold the object in a particular position against the surface.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display module displays an article of clothing.
 10. A system for displaying an object, comprising: a surface with a magnetically adherent material; a magnetic base configured to removably attach to the surface; and a display module attached to the magnetic base and configured to support a display item.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the magnetic base comprises more than one magnet.
 12. The system of claim 11 further comprising at least one stabilizing member configured to hold the object in a stationary position over the display module.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the stabilizing member comprises a magnetic base and a stabilizing display member protruding from the magnetic base.
 14. The system of claim 14, wherein the stabilizing display module comprises a pliable material such that the display module is bendable.
 15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a connecting member configured to connect a plurality of magnetic bases, and wherein a plurality of display modules are attached to the connecting member.
 16. The system of claim 10, further comprising at least one magnetic coupler configured to hold the display item in a particular position against the surface.
 17. A method for creating a positionable display, the method comprising: removably attaching a magnetic base to a surface having a magnetically adherent material; attaching a display module to the magnetic base; and positioning an object to be displayed on the display module.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the magnetic base comprises more than one magnet.
 19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of removably attaching stabilizing members to the surface for stabilizing the object positioned on the display module.
 20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of removably attaching magnetic couplers to the surface for holding the object in a particular position. 